Artificial hand.



I. L. BOSCH.

ARTIFICIAL HAND.

, APPLICATION FILED PEB.21,1912.

1,050,607, r Patented Jan. 14, 1913.

/-j M q 4-4-4241 Mu m avweutoz UNITED sT TEs. PATENT OFFICE.

IGN ACE L. BOSCH, OF RICHWOOD, WEST VIRGINIA.

ARTIFICIAL HAND.

Specification of Letters Patent. I Patented J an. 14, 1913. Application filed February 21, 1912. Serial No. 679,010.

' To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, IGNAGE L. Boson, a citizen of the United States, residing at Richwood, in the county of Nicholas and State of West Virginia, have invented new and useful Improvements in, Artificial Hands, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to artificial hands and the object of the invention is to provide a simple and efiicient device of this character which may be operated to accomplish the many necessary duties required with a facility almost equaling the ability of the natural hand.

Further objects of this invention will appear as the followingspecific description is read in connection with the accompanying drawing, which forms a part of this appli cation, and in which I Figure l is a side elevation. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the jaws in open position. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the device removed from the arm.

.Referring more particularly to the drawing, the device is shown connected to an ordinary artificial forearm which consists of a head 1 apertured to receive the projection 2. This projection constitutes an extension of a rod or bar3 which is provided intermediate its ends with a pivoting ear 4 and beyond the ear is bent into a loop or curve 5 and terminates in a gripping jaw 6. This membercomprises one part of a substantially plier-li'ke construction, the opposite member being indicated at 7 and being pivoted to the ear 4. The outer end or the por-.

tion beyond the pivot point is constructed in the same manner to the member 3, that is, it is provided with a looped curved-portion 8 and a gripping jaw 9 adapted to coact with the jaw 6. The portion in the rear of the pivot point extends at an angle to the rod 3 and is provided with an .upturned end 10 to which is connected an operating chain or cable 11 having a ring 12 carried at its inner end. Surrounding the ear 4 is a spring whose free end 13 is provided with a lateral hook to engage the under side of the member 7 in the rear of the pivot point, being thus adapted to normally hold the jaws is a strap 15 preferably provi ed in its opposite end with a loop, not shown, to. engage the opposite shoulder of the wearer.

In practice, the strap 15 passestup the arm'and across the shoulders where it is connected with .the opposite shoulder in such a manner that a jerk or bodily movement of the .opposite shoulder will pull upon the member 7 against the tension of the spring 13 and open the jaws. .By releasing the tension upon the strap, the spring will close the jaws and is of sufficient strength to hold an, object of ten or more pounds. Upon the opposite side of the device from the spring, a hook 16 is secured to the pivotal ear upon the rod 3, which hook is adapted to receive apencil or to utilize the hand for carrying a bucketor other similar device. The loops or curved portions 5 and 8 are constructed for the purpose of surrounding the neck of a bottle so'that the same may be readily lifted or handled while the cap or closure member is being removed.

What is claimed is An artificial hand comprising a mountin member, an extension carried thereby an having a loop therein adjacent its outer end, a clamping member pivoted to the mountin member and having a loop to correspon with the'loop in said extension, jaws carried by the clamping member and extension and projecting beyond the loops parallel with the extension, an angular arm on the clamping member having a laterally offset end, a spring surrounding the pivotal point of said extension and clamping member and connected adjacent the outer end of said arm for normally holding the jaws in engagement with each other, a flexible'member connected to the offset end of said arm, an 'operating strap, and a removable connection between, the operating strap and the flexible member.

In testimony whereof I affix-my signature in'presen'ce of two witnesses.

- IGNACE L. BOSCH. Witnesses:

R. M. DYER, JAMES Fmnmson.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for Washington, D. 0.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, 

